Awe Sum introduces Peruvian organic seedless grapes

Santa Cruz, Calif.-based Awe Sum Organics will begin importing organic red and green seedless grapes from Peru in late December for the U.S. and Canada.

They should be available through the end of January, as will organic red globe grapes.

Awe Sum’s project to bring organic seedless grapes to North America began in 2007.

“The first commercial harvest is commencing now,” chief executive officer David Posner said in a news release. The import supply complements domestic organic grape production, expected to end shortly before the arrival of the Peruvian fruit.

Posner, recently returned from Peru production areas, said size, color and quality were good on sugraones, with the crimson seedless a smaller berry.

“Unfortunately there is limited supply of the crimson seedless this year, but there is a good supply of red globes,” Posner said. “As this is our first year of production from these vines, we will have increased volumes of all three varieties next year and again for the following few years until the fields reach full production.”

All of the organic varieties are certified Fair for Life by the Institute for Marketecology in Switzerland. The certification is for fair wages, good working conditions and social responsibility throughout the distribution chain.